What Is Who AM I
The Core of the Inquiry
The question "Who am I?" is not just a casual curiosity or a philosophical puzzle. In the tradition of Ramana Maharshi and Advaita Vedanta, it is a burning, existential desire to know the true Self—a quest that underlies all spiritual seeking. This inquiry is not about finding a new belief or identity, but about stripping away all that is not truly "I" to discover what remains when all else is negated.
Neti Neti: The Path of Negation
The Neti Neti ("not this, not this") approach is central to this process. It is a method of self-inquiry and Vedic analysis that systematically negates all that can be observed, thought, or experienced as "not-self" (anatman). The practitioner examines every aspect of experience—body, mind, emotions, thoughts, roles, even the sense of being a seeker—and recognizes: "I am not this".
This is not a nihilistic denial, but a way to peel away layers of identification. Anything that can be witnessed or described is not the true Self, because the Self is the ever-present witness, the unchanging awareness in which all experiences arise and subside.
Ramana Maharshi and Atma Vichara
Ramana Maharshi emphasized atma vichara (self-inquiry) as the direct path to self-realization. He taught that the question "Who am I?" should be held with sincerity and intensity, not as an intellectual exercise but as a living investigation. When thoughts arise, one asks, "To whom does this thought occur?" The answer is "to me." Then, "Who am I?" This process leads attention back to the source—the pure sense of "I am"—beyond all attributes and concepts.
Ramana pointed out that even the practice of Neti Neti, if done as a mental activity, can reinforce the reality of what is being negated. The true inquiry is to turn attention inward, away from objects and thoughts, and rest in the awareness that is always present—the Self.
Neti Neti and the Nature of Reality
Neti Neti is not just about negation. It is a recognition that the ultimate reality (Brahman, the Self) is beyond all descriptions, categories, and dualities. It cannot be captured by the mind or language. By negating all that is not the Self, what remains is the pure, formless awareness—consciousness itself—which is identical with Brahman.
"Neti neti negates all descriptions about the Ultimate Reality but not the Reality itself... The Self has no qualities or attributes of its own by which it can be identified. The Self is not an object. So the theory has it that if you negate everything that is not-Self, you are left with only the Self."
Manifestations of the Desire for Self-Knowledge
This burning desire to know oneself can manifest as questions about God, the purpose of life, or the nature of reality. But at the root, all these questions point back to the same source: Who is the one asking? Who is the experiencer? Before seeking to know God or purpose, one must first know the "I" that seeks.
Practical Application for a Blog
If you are writing a blog inspired by Ramana and the Neti Neti philosophy, consider these ideas:
- Frame the Inquiry: Present "Who am I?" not as a question to be answered intellectually, but as a living, ongoing investigation.
- Share the Neti Neti Process: Guide readers through the practice of negating all that is not the Self—body, mind, emotions, roles, beliefs—pointing them back to the silent witness within.
- Highlight the Paradox: Emphasize that the Self cannot be found as an object or concept; it is the ever-present awareness in which all experiences arise.
- Connect to Universal Seeking: Show how questions about God, purpose, or meaning are ultimately rooted in the desire to know the true Self.
- Encourage Direct Experience: Invite readers to turn inward, beyond words and concepts, to rest in the awareness that is always present.
Summary Table: Neti Neti and Self-Inquiry
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Core Question | "Who am I?" |
| Method | Neti Neti ("not this, not this")—negation of all that is not the Self |
| Goal | Direct realization of the true Self (Atman/Brahman) |
| Practice | Self-inquiry (Atma Vichara), turning attention inward |
| Outcome | Dissolution of false identifications; abiding as pure awareness |
| Manifestations | Questions about God, purpose, meaning—all rooted in the desire for Self |
In Essence:
The inquiry "Who am I?"—as taught by Ramana and embodied in the Neti Neti philosophy—is the heart of spiritual awakening. It is not about finding new answers, but about dissolving all that is not truly "I," until only the Self remains: silent, aware, and free.